Formal Introduction New guy with Early 4.4 Sport.
 

I've been messing with BMW's for about 12 years now. I've had a lot of the good core stuff from the 90's, but really like the e34's. I've still got an e34 525, and and e34 540 6 speed which I track a few times a year etc.

I am some what familiar with a lot of the issues with the X5's, and more specifically the M62's and N62's. My wife had a Mini Countryman S which we got rid of in Feb, and we were going to start looking for a white early 4.4 sport with black interior this summer when this one fell in my lap needing a motor. The motor was hydro locked due to a unmaintained CCV system. I bought it somewhat cheap, and put a just sky of 100k mile clean M62 in it, and had the timing guides done, CCV done, along with every gasket and seal on the motor. I'm in it now about at market value, but with those new parts etc. I plan to do the entire cooling system within the next month or so with all new hoses etc.

So I'll post some pics with some comments, then I'll tell you what else I've got to fix etc.. Of course your comments and suggestions are encouraged. Any good comments will help as I sometimes regret this project as its getting expensive, but I think it will be worth it when its all said and done.

This was the day I picked it up... Two days after I heard about it and made the guy an offer on it.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/...f8e827ce_c.jpgUntitled by kesslerbmw, on Flickr


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/...52cc97cd_c.jpg by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/...6f1b3bdf_c.jpg by kesslerbmw, on Flickr






I dropped it off at an Indy Shop in KC to have the motor swapped and the work done on the new motor etc... then flew down there after about 6-8 weeks and picked it up. While I was in KC for the weekend giving the car a good shake down before driving it 800 miles or so home I had a couple issues. The return quick connect line for the power steering popped off, dumping fluid everywhere. I was able to pop it right back on, fill it back up, and haven't had an issue with it since.


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/...c0df3702_c.jpg by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/...d4319a9b_c.jpgUntitled by kesslerbmw, on Flickr







So the next day I went over to a fellow BMW friend of mine in KC to check that hose again and try to address the stereo issues I was having (which I'll go into later) when we realized the hood latches were heavily corroded and the cables weren't in great shape either. We spent a good 30 minutes getting the hood open and I wasn't comfortable closing it again so we popped the hood pens off and I tied the hood down. :rofl:


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/...983b5d0c_c.jpg by kesslerbmw, on Flickr


After all of that fiasco, I picked up a set of the stock 19" sport wheels so I could use them while I refinish the style 87's, then I'll put Snow tires, or some type of decent all season for winter use. Was nice that they all fit right in the back.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/...55732ed4_c.jpg by kesslerbmw, on Flickr






After making sure the hood wouldn't fly open and I was good for the drive home I set off.

The next day when I was home I clay bared, the whole thing, and compounded and polished every inch of it including the headlights and the tail lights.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5080/...404429b8_c.jpgIMG_5273 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/...cb56a438_c.jpgIMG_5280 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/...eecaf02c_c.jpgIMG_5281 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/...fb2d80f9_c.jpgIMG_5284 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/...0c765b9f_c.jpgIMG_5287 by kesslerbmw, on Flickr





So... Next up is LED tail lights because these are having connection issues, and as much as I'd like to have the OEM non LED look, I don't want to be bothered with messing with them as its my wife's car.

I don't like the look of the aftermarket headlights, but the drivers side light is missing one of the mounts for the painted piece below the light, and it wayy off of alignment, so I might change them out, but would prefer not too.

The only option it doesn't have that I wanted was the Sport seats, which I may swap out, but the wife likes the comfort ones, so I may not. I'll have to see if there is any cheap sets local to me.

One of the biggest problems I have is that the previous owner was a fellow who liked boom boom stereo's, and he hacked the hell out of the wiring (or most likely paid someone to) so I'm thinking about putting in a Kenwood double Din unit and using a small amp to run the bass box... I dunno yet, but I'm really bumped I can't utilize the stock stuff as it wasn't terrible and it would have been good enough for the wife and myself when driving it. Any input here would be appreciated.

Passenger door exterior door handle doesn't work, is it the handle, or most likely a cable? Was going to pull the panel off and try to check that out soon.

Also have some cracked wood trim, and an ash tray that won't stay closed... Trying to figure out the most economical way to fix these. I wouldn't mind wrapping them with carbon fiber 3M vinyl or something, but the wife likes the wood, so if anyone knows of any economical way of finding the wood pieces let me know.

Next week I'll be pulling the style 87's off, fixing the rash, then having them blasted and powder coated. Then I'll do the same to the 4.4 Sport 19's I picked up. (don't know the style # for those)

I've had fun lurking here for the last couple months, seems like a great group, look forward to conversating with some of you guys more.

Wow...I also have 2 e34s and I just recently picked up an early 4.4 sport! Welcome to the forum's!

Are you on bf.c?

Lol... Loved the pics of such a nice ride with rope holding the hood down:)

My ash tray was also stuck open on mine. When I wrapped my trim I needed to pull the center consol. At that time I was able to push the pin back in its track so the lid on the ash tray would stay closed. Nothing was broke. Yours might be the same.

Nice ride btw

yep..

jhayregz:thumbup:

Looks good. White is so hard to find. Are you gonna buff out that scratch on the bumper? It would bother me soo much lol

Kessler looks great on the details! Style 87 with running boards is well equipped, even if you did have to maintain the motor!

I have a full set of uncracked light poplar wood trim in the basement if you need it I'd let it go cheap. Also have a new rear wiper assembly as I deleted mine that you can have if you buy the set.

The led tails are a good choice I don't regret mine one bit! Yours is an 03 so for some reason although you have sport package like I do, BMW seems to have forgotten sport seats on the Sport Package 03's? I wish I had sport seats too but it's hard to find good ones that match, so I live with it.

Let me know about the wood trim I'd love to be part of the return to glory!

WELCOME!!!!

Welcome! Nice X5! That Alpine White looks very sharp on X.

I too like the E34s and still own one for 12 years. It is the last of the classic BMW design that I still like. Do you have any photos of your E34?

Here is a photo of my E34. She now has 220k miles but runs like it still has 50k miles. Very solid car.

http://junger12.home.comcast.net/~junger12/301/12.jpg

Looks awesome man.. welcome to the forums!

You mentioned getting some led's Check out BUY BMW CREE LED ANGEL EYES ERROR FREE MTEC DTEC HALOS UPGRADE H8 E90 LCI PRELCI E92 E93 M3 BRIGHT LIGHTING LOW PRICES DISCOUNTS I'm currently working on the owner to put together a interior package. Then I'll move on to the tail lights etc even though he probably has everything we need already it's not set up in a nice easy package. There are tons of LED's to choose from one the site but the angel eyes he makes are high quality at a good price.